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Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic effectiveness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging in the post-treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2022

Y Zhu Open the ORCID record for Y Zhu [Opens in a new window] ,
O McLaren ,
J Hardman ,
J Evans  and
R Williams
Y Zhu*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, UK
O McLaren
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, UK
J Hardman
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
J Evans
Affiliation:
Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Bristol, UK
R Williams
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Y Zhu, Department of ENT, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Rd, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK E-mail: yinan.zhu@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

There is currently no consensus on the ideal protocol of imaging for post-treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to consolidate existing evidence on the diagnostic effectiveness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging.

Method

Systematic electronic searches were conducted using Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library (updated February 2021) to identify studies directly comparing positron emission tomography-computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans for detecting locoregional recurrence or residual disease for post-treatment surveillance.

Results

Searches identified 3164 unique records, with three studies included for meta-analysis, comprising 176 patients. The weighted pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity for scans performed three to six months post-curative treatment were: positron emission tomography-computed tomography, 0.68 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.49–0.84) and 0.89 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.84–0.93); magnetic resonance imaging, 0.72 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.54–0.88) and 0.85 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.79–0.89), respectively.

Conclusion

Existing studies do not provide evidence for superiority of either positron emission tomography-computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in detecting locoregional recurrence or residual disease following curative treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head And NeckPositron Emission Tomography Computed TomographyMagnetic Resonance ImagingDiffusion Magnetic Resonance ImagingFollow-Up Studies

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 1 , January 2023 , pp. 22 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr Y Zhu takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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